After everything, after all that they've been through, he was about to lose her. He reached out his hand to grasp her, but he felt nothing.
"Clara! Clara, I love you!" he cried. The faded figure before him mouthed something, but he heard nothing. He couldn't lose her, not now!, Not yet! But when he looked up, he saw nothing.
Gone. She was gone.
That filthy rat will pay for this. He turned to Major Mint.
"Have your guards return to their posts...after they've tended to the people. Captain Candy, come with me." he ordered. Sensing the newly found authority in the king's voice, they obeyed with no hesitation. While they walked out of the courtyard, he remembered the Mouse King's magic staff and how the rat dropped it during their fight.
What happened to it?
"My king, what should we do with this?" Reminded of his new position, he turned towards his friend and saw that he was carrying the staff.
"I don't believe it is safe out here. Besides, only a handful know how it works." he said trying to hold it away from him as far as possible. When the captain handed it to Eric, the young king felt a strange, low surge in his arms. Almost like an unnatural pulse had enveloped the artifact.
Not the most comforting sign
"Best to keep it somewhere safe." He said. Captain Candy seemed unsure.
"Your highness, I do have to ask: how would we keep it safe? The Mouse King is still out there and he knows how to use it. Then there is the matter of what just happened to Ms. Clara." His voice trailed off as he finished the sentence. Eric placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Don't worry, we'll figure this out. The Clara I know is probably thinking out a way to return as well. Just need to make some means of contact." he reassured. His friend nodded as they made their way to the library.
So close. She was so close of freeing her niece from her prison, but now it seemed that the situation had become more delicate. Just when everything had fallen into place, all that hard work was reduced to almost nothing. Key word being almost. The Mouse King had been defeated and now the rightful heir had returned. Perhaps this is exactly what she needs.
Though still new to the role of king, Eric had made notable effort to repair the damage done by the Mouse King. Giving his people their jobs and homes back was relatively easy. However there was still the issue of all the mice statues that disappeared from the castle gardens, but Eric decided to leave it be since their king was no longer a threat. Better to focus on the true task at hand: finding and contacting Clara. He wasn't going to pretend to forget Clara's life in her world. Such a rash decision: making her choose like that when it was inevitable for her to return home.
I mean that's the whole reason she went with me in the first place. So she could return to her normal life. It was always that.
But, try as he might, he could not deny his feelings for her. All the more reason to find her and make sure she was okay. For the past few days, he's had his royal advisor, Captain Candy, and few other servant search the library for clues. But, so far, nothing. Eric even restlessly searched in his father's old study and, while their were interesting histories and manuals, there was nothing about other worlds. No progress on the staff either.
What am I to do? he wondered walking down the castle hallways. His footsteps echoed throughout the corridors. What if she's in trouble? Or hurt? Calling our for help and i can't do anything about it! he yelled internally, and banged the wall. Suddenly, a shadow flew past him and down the hallway.
What was that?
Remembering that the Mouse King did have a bat servant, he chased after the shadow. He wasn't fast enough to reach it, was able to keep with it. Whatever it was, it was headed towards the throne room. As it turned the last corner, Eric skidded to a stop before glimpsing it's tail before it flew in. It was somewhat fan-shaped and had brown feathers
Certainly not a bat.
He slowed down when he reached the doors. With the throne room having only one entrance, he guest was now cornered.
Time for proper introductions.
Cautiously, he opened and closed the doors behind him, sword at the ready. It was…rather messy, considering the room's purpose. There was missing pillar, a silver platter on the ground, and feathers.
Feathers?!
And there near his father's old throne was a large owl. It was lightly pecking a book next to the platter and holding something in it's talons.
The staff! How did this over sized bird find it? It was under lock and key!
Eric inched closer, not really sure of what to do. Instantly, he found two large, black eyes staring at him, and he froze. The owl didn't seem threatened, but, considering the size difference, Eric didn't feel like taking a chance.
"H-hello, um…can I have that staff back?" he asked nervous. Silence and a glare. "Heh…uh…please?" worth a shot.
Then what Eric thought was the owl handing back to him, it actually seemed to be casting a spell on itself. The surprise of this was then out matched by the shock of it's first words.
"Want to help save my niece instead?"